Automatic lighter



June 27, 1950 Q MP LL 2,512,767

AUTOMATIC LIGHTER Filed Feb. 14, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG! HII"

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INVENTOR. COLIN J. CAMPBELL June 27, 1950 c. J. CAMPBELL AUTOMATIC LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 14, 1946 F/GJZ FIG/7 FIG-J6 INVENTOR. COL/N I CAMPBELL BY fl/zv Patented June 27, 1950 AUTOMATIC LIGHTER Colin J. Campbell, East Orange, N. J assignor of one-half to Harold T. Tudor, Bloomfield, N. J.

Application February 14, 1946, Serial No. 647,538

4 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic lighters of the type used by smokers although it is adapted for other uses.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide an improved lighter which improvements are found in many of the details entering into the construction of the device. These improvements or advantages are found in means for holding the cover in closed position and for releasing it. Also in the means for shutting the flame on closing the cover and at the same time providing an improved means of securing a 010- sure for the wick end that will hold the vapors coming from the end of the wick when the cover is in closed position.

Another advantage is an improved means of operating the ignition structure so as to get a good hot spark from the flint or the ignition slug directed toward the end of the wick as the cover is raised.

A still further advantage is means of mounting a flint or ignition slug and a still further advantage is the provision made for carrying extra flints or ignition slugs so that they are protected from any of the gases which may come from the wick chamber.

Another advantage of myimproved construe-- tion is the manner of feeding the wick. While obtaining all of the aforesaid advantages together with others which will appear to the user of these devices there is also the advantage of obtaining a lighter which presents a smooth surface so that there is no danger of any parts catching in the clothing or handbag of the user.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a lighter which is highly ornamental in character.

A further object of my invention is to provide new and improved means for introducing a flint into cooperative position with the friction wheel.

A further object of my invention is to provide a lighter having a guide surface for positioning a cigarette or the like with respect to the end of the wick.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a structure which can be ignited in a Windy place and yet one in which means are provided for supplying sufficient oxygen from the air to maintain a good flame from the wick.

These and other objects will be clear to a user of the structure shown in the attached drawings wherein,

Figure 1 is a view of the structure shown in Figure 2 looking fromleft to right.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1 looking from right to left.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the structure shown in Figure 2. Figures 1, 2 and 3 are shown sub-' stantially in full size.

Figure 4 is a view on the line 4-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 6 showing the cover in open position in broken lines.

Figure 6 is a view of Figure 5 looking from left to right.

Figure '7 is a view on the line 'l'| of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a view of the spring member which I operates the combination ratchet and friction wheel.

Figure 9 is a view of the spring which opens the cover when released. Figures 4 to 9 inclusive are shown at about twice the size of an actual structure.

Figure 10 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of a modified form of construction showing the cover in open position.

Figure 11 is a view of Figure 10 looking from right to left.

Figure 12 is a view of Figure 10 looking from left to right with the cover in closed position." Figures 10, 11 and 12 are shown substantially twice the size of a true structure.

Figure 13 is a full size view of the top of the structure with one-half of thecover broken away.

Figure 14 is a view of the flint operating plunger.

Figure 15 is a view of Figure 14 looking from right to left.

Figure 16 is a plan view of the flint holder.

shown in Figure 10.

Figure 1'7 is a View of Figure l6 looking from right to left.

In the different views wherein like numbers refer to corresponding parts and referring to receive a coin such as a penny or a dime for actuating it. Carried by the wall 4 is a device 8 used for raising and lowering the wick, by a rack and pinion. or compression action, but no further description of this device will be made herein for v.it is fully disclosed in my abandoned application f 3 S. N. 640,869, filed January 12, 1946, but it does enter into the general improvement of the lighter.

What I term as the front edge of the structure is provided with a recess l within which is positioned a catch N that is carried on a pivot l2. The catch I has a hook portion |3 that is adapted to engage a shoulder M on a detachably mounted catch post 5. This post l5 preferably has a hexagonal head l6 and a screw stem whereby it may be screwed securely into the cover 9. Preferably the post I5 has a conically shaped head $8 to cooperate with the hook l3 to make easy closure of the cover.

Positioned in the Wall 4 is arecess |9 within which is positioned a spring 29 that acts on the end of the catch H to continuously move it toward latching position. The wall of the casing is provided with an oval shaped depression 2| in alignment with the spring and the end of the latch H is formed so that when the cover is closed the spring end of the catch or latch II is positioned within the depression 2| and at least not beyond the surface of the casing so that there is no danger of the end of the catch I l engaging clothing while the lighter is being carried in the pocket of the user. Carried by the cover 9 and preferably integral therewith is a recess 22 formed by a circular wall 23. Positioned within the recess 22 is a spring 24 that coacts between the top of the cover and the outer surface 25 of the bottom of a cup shaped snufler 25, It will be noted that the bottom of the cup 26 has a somewhat larger diameter than the cup itself thereby forming a flanged bottom for the cup Or snuifer 25.. After the snuffer has been inserted in position then the metal around the outer edge of the wall 23 is spun inwardly to form a collar .54 which is engaged by the flange 25 when the cover is opened, thereby preventing the snufier 25 and the spring 24 from falling out of place. The open end of the snufier 2B is formed to engage the conical surface 2'! of a holder 28 carried by the wall 4 for receiving the end of the wick 5. When the cover is in closed position it will be noted that flange 25 is free from the collar 54 so the open end of the snufier 25 forms a closure on the conical surface 21 of the holder 28. Since the snuffer 26 is of considerable'length, a substantial amount of vapor from the ends of the wick will collect in the cup of the snufier so that when the cover is opened, in a manner that will be presently described, quick ignition takes place. Since the hearing between the wall 23 and the snufier 26 is very short the snuffer 26 will be self-aligning and will thereby insure a good contact at its open end with the conical surface 21. This I believe to be a decided improvement in the construction and arrangement of the snuffer parts.

The cover 9 is pivoted to the casing by a pin 29 which is held to the casing by any satisfactory means such as screws 30 and 3| shown in slotted position in Figure 7, the casing being recessed at 32 and 33 to receive the heads of the screws 30 and 3|. Carried on the pivot pin or spindle 29 are positioning collars 34 and 35 that act to position a combination structure comprising a ratchet wheel 36 and a friction wheel 31' which are free to rotate on the spindle 29. For operating the ratchet wheel 36 a spring 38 isutilized. This spring has a loop end 39 that is positioned around the wall 23 of the recess 22. Also positioned around the wall 23 is the loop end 4 3 of a spring 4| having loops 42 in each of its arms, one of the loops passes around the positioning collar or bushing 34 while the other loop passes around the positioning collar or bushing 35 and the free ends 43 extend ibackwardly in the direction of the wick holder and are located on the bottom wall 44 of the top chamber 2. On this construction it will be understood that spring 4| acts to quickly open the cover after it has been released by the catch H and the spring 38 acts to rapidly turn the ratchet wheel 36 and the friction wheel 3? that are mounted as an integral unit on spindle 29.

Cooperating with the friction wheel 31 is a flint or slug of ignition material 45 that is positioned in a seat 43 in the casing An elongated spring 41 is located in a hole 48 which extends longitudinally of the casing One end of the spring is positioned around the stem 49 of a screw 59 andit will be noted from Figure 5 that the stem 49 extends a considerable distance through the spring .41 thereby making it easy to install and it also acts as a stabilizer for the spring 4?. Here again the head of the screw 50 is positioned slightly below the surface of the casin and has a slot which is wide enough to receive a coin for the purpose of removing the screw and sprin to renew the flint or ignition slug 45. The Wall of the casing carrying the screw 50 and the spring 4'1 is considerably thicker than the front Wall and has a second hole 5| positioned adjacent the hole 48. The hole 5| is for the purpose of receiving a supply of the flints or slugs 45, the hole being closed by screw 52. With this construction the flints or ignition slugs are carried in a closed hole so that they are free from exposure to any fumes coming from the chamber 3.

In the form of the construction shown in Figures 10 to 17 inclusive the construction is the same as has been described in so far as the cover mounting and latch means and wick feeding means is concerned. The additional new features will now be pointed out.

By reference to Figure 10 it will be seen that the slug or ignition material or flint is carried in a bushing 54 which from its definition is hollow or having a hole therethrough. The bushing 54' I has a longitudinally positioned slot through its wall on one side.

This slot 55 is positioned in alignment with an opening 53 in the casing The lower end of the bushing 54 is provided with a recess 51 to receive a plunger 58. The plunger 58 has an end 59 of a reduced diameter to fit the hollow portion of the bushing 54 and to engage the flint 45 seated therein. The plunger 58* has a bore 64 within which is positioned one end of the spring 47 that is carried or guided by the stem 49 of the screw 59. The plunger 58'has a projection 6| that is located in an elongated opening 62 in the edge of the casing. By reason of this con-- struction when it is desired to put a new-flint 45' in position, the operator engages the projection 6| with a finger or thumb nail and pulls the plunger 53 against the tension of the spring so thatthe end 59 of the plunger uncovers the slot 55at the side of the bushing 54. .Then a flint .45 is passed through the casing hole 55 abovethe end will engage the bottom of recessflfil to'preyent its end from contacting with the'friction wheel "31.

I ha e In passing it may be noted that'the plunger 58 is assembled in its position before the bushing 54 is put into place.

It will be noted from Figure. 12} that the front edge of the casing, and by the front I mean that edge carrying the retaining and releasing latch H, has its edges G3 and fit curved inwardly and downwardly to form an arcuateconfiguration, to provide a, seat for a cigarette or the like to be lighted, from the wick 5. The front ends of the cover have curved surfaces to fit the curved edges 63 and 64 so as to form a closed structure although Figure 12 shows a slight opening in order to illustrate the construction. The'finger engagement formation shown as 65 in Figures and 12 is slightly different as indicatedin that it has a narrow portion of substantially the-same width as the width of the latch if so thatwhen the cover is in closed position it is in alignment with the latch l I and thereby produces a smooth continuous surface. As shown in FigurelO the casing I is provided with one or more holes 66 which are positioned at opposite sides of the casing. If only one hole on each side of the casing is used, this is preferably positioned directly opposite the wick as shown in the drawing. If more than one of the holes 65 are used on each side they may be arranged arcuately as indicated or in some other form. The object of these openings is to allow a suflicient amount of oxygen to come into the chamber around the wick 5 and by arranging the holes on opposite sides of a vertical plane through the wick 5 the flame from the wick 5 is directed in a substantially straight line upwardly.

Where only one hole 65 is used on each side of the casing, I may utilize an opening 6'! positioned in the opposite sides of the cover opposite the snufier 26. This will allow additional air to accumulate around the end of the wick when the cover starts to open, thereby preventing a vacuum tendency which would be caused by the snufi'er 26 when being withdrawn suddenly from its seat on the conical surface 2'? next to the wick.

As a further means for providing an air space on opposite sides of the wick I may form the sides of the casing with a recess 1'58 and form the edges of the cover to fit this recess as shown in Figure 13.

From the constructions described, it will be seen that I have provided a lighter to accomplish all the objects and advantages set forth and in which all the parts are constructed and arranged to give long life and positive and eflicient surface, and finally a construction in which all of the assembled parts do not project beyond the surface of the casing, the only projection being a slightly raised but rounded portion 53 on the cover for acting as a finger engagement formation for assistance in closing the cover. Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An automatic lighter including a casing having top and bottom chambers separated by a. thick wall so as to hold other essential parts of the lighter, the bottom chamber adapted to receive absorbent material for carrying ignition fuel and the body of a wick, the wall having a hole therethrough for passage of the wick from the bottom chamber to the top chamber, a holder having a conically shaped top positioned in the hole and extending into the top chamber to locate the ignition end of the wick, means transversely positioned in said wall and having a rotatable part interceptin the wick hole and compressibly engaging the wick to adjust its position in the holder, a hinged cover for the top chamber with means I for rapidly opening the cover when. re leased, said cover having a. recess. formedubyua circular walldepending from the top of the. cover, a cup shaped snuffer having a closed bottom with a circular flange thereat, the free edge of the recess wall-being spun over to form a collar after the flanged end of the snuifer cup has been put into the recess, so as to hold the cup in the recess, a spring within said recess and engaging the top of the cover and the flanged bottom of the snufier cup, said snuffer cup having itsopen end formed to fit the conically shaped top of the holder,'-the length of the. snufier cup being such that its flanged bottom will be raised fromthe collar at the mouth of the recess sothe cup will :be resiliently held in snufling position when the cover is in closed position, a ratchet and friction wheel structure operatively carried by the cover and brought into action when the cover moves to open position, means for holding the coverin closed position and for releasing it, said means including a safety catch operatively mounted in a recess in said wall at least not beyond the outer surface of the casing, a spring set in a hole in said wall and engaging an end of said catch to continuously move it into catching position and a catch post carried by the cover so as to be engaged by the opposite end of the catch to hold the cover in closed position.

2. An automatic lighter as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the cover carries at its hinged end, in laterally positioned relationship, the ratchet and friction wheel structure having a readily removable bearing spindle extending transversely of the cover and the side walls of the casing and forming a pivot for the cover and said structure, a spring for opening the cover having a circular seat portion positioned around the walls of said depending recess and having spaced arms looped around the opposite ends of said structure and then extending toward said seat portion in contact with the lower wall of the top chamber, a further spring also having a seat around the wall of said recess and having an arm extending under tension into driving engagement with said ratchet wheel for rapidly turning the ratchet and friction wheels when the cover is released, a slug of ignition material positioned in a seat in the casing in alignment with the friction wheel and a screw positioned in a hole in the bottom of the casing, the hole extending from the bottom of the casing through to.

said slug seat, the screw having an elongated stem and a spring having one end around said stem and extending into compression engagement with said slu to push it into operative engagement with the friction wheel.

3. In a lighter of the type described having a casing carrying a friction wheel with means for moving it in frictional engagement with a fiint, means for mounting the flint comprising a hollow bushing to receive the flint in one end, the bushing having a longitudinally positioned slot through its wall on one side of the axis, the casing having an opening in alignment with said slot, the slot and opening serving to pass a flint into the bushing, the casin also having a hole extending from the bottom of the casing up to and in alignment with the hole through the bushing, .a plunger positioned in said casing hole and having an end of reduced diameter to slide in the bushing and engage the flint, a shoulder at the beginning of said reduced diameter and acting as a stop for the plunger against said bushing, the plunger being hollow at its opposite end, a

Spring positioned. within the. casing. hole and eggtending into the hollow part of said plunger and automatically and continuously a ting 0.11 the plunger asihefiint is used up and a ee ew havi an extended stem for guiding. the. sprin ,4. A lighter assetforth incleirn. further .112: fined. in that the casing has. an 6191123111 51 enen: ing therein ositioned below. the casing openin Qhrgugh which a flintv can be passed. W il th plunger has a projection extending intg said elongated opening for automatigally ingligating when a new flint is required andfilsp amine as a means for withdrawing h plunger 0.0v l nens fer said casing opening for inserting a flint for the purngse described.

COLIN J AMPEELL- E ER NCE ITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

minenereres PA'IENTS Number Number Name Date- Adamian Apr. 29, 1913 Greene June 11, 1929 Sega] Feb. 24, 1931 Rogers Sept. 8, 1931 Aronson Dec. 6, 1932 Silberknopf Jan. 7, 1936 Wise et a June 2, 1936 Zaken- Aug. 12, 1941 Belle 0st. '7, 1941 Landwehr Feb. 8, 1949 FQREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great'Britain May 16, 1913 France Aug. 8, 1931 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1943 France Nov. 24, 1911 Great Britain Sept. 17, 1936 France Nov. 18, 1923 

